Berkeley Wilde & Sarah-Louise Minter

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We work across all sectors
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We work with all ‘Protected
Characteristics ’ and Groups
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Key Legislation: Equality Act (2010),
Public Sector Equality Duty and the NHS
Equality Delivery System
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We provide engagement, research and training

A membership based organisation funded to provide: a voice for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in Bristol; to challenge homo/bi/transphobia: and to advise and challenge statutory organisations on policy and procedure with relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.
We have a team of active and skilled committee members, staff and volunteers as well as a comprehensive network of LGB and Trans support and social groups. As well as this LGBT Bristol has a number of projects:
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Providing the LGB and Trans specialist caseworker for Bristol Hate
Crime Services;
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Offering educational projects to increase capacity, reach and subject delivery to all educational establishments for the preventative side of homo/bi/transphobic bullying and hate crime;
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Bringing valuable experience in teaching, childcare, fostering, schools governance and experience in equality, diversity and inclusion.

 Overview of key legislation relevant to gender identity and sexual orientation
 Best practice guidelines to help the school improve delivery to LGB and Trans young people
 Local research on the experiences of LGB and
Trans young people
 Practical ideas on other issues including how to support LGB and Trans staff and parents

Sexual Orientation
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Lesbian
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Gay
 Bisexual
 Heterosexual
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Homophobia
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Biphobia
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Heterosexism
Gender Identity
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Transgender
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Cisgender
 Cisgenderism
 Transphobia

 Lesbian: Females who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to someone of the same sex
 Gay Male: Males who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to someone of the same sex
 Some Lesbians identify as “Gay”
 Bisexual: People who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to people of both sexes
 Heterosexual: People who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex

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Homophobia: Irrational fear and hatred of people who identify as Lesbian or Gay, or are perceived to be Lesbian or Gay.
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Can include; emotional, verbal and physical abuse. In some cases can result in violence and death (i.e. “hate crime”)
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Biphobia: Irrational fear and hatred of bisexual people
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Heterosexism: Assumption every one is
Heterosexual (also “heteronormativity”)

• Trans (Transgender): an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and / or gender expression diverges in some way from the sex they were assigned at birth
• Transgender community prefers the abbreviated term ‘Trans’
• Cisgender: term for people whose gender identity and / or gender expression is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth.

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Cisgenderism: is a prejudice similar to heterosexism, racism and sexism. It denies, ignores, denigrates, or stigmatises non-cisgender forms of expression, sexual activity, behavior, relationship, or community.
 Transphobia: Irrational fear and hatred of Trans
(Transgender) people.


According to the UK Government
/Stonewall estimate, what percentage of people identify themselves as Lesbian or
Gay?
2% 6% 10%

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In 2005 the Government, when analysing the financial implications of the Civil
Partnerships Act, concluded there were
3.6m Lesbian and Gay people in Britain.
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Around 6% of the population.

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Would anyone be able to tell us the estimate percentage of the population is
Transgender?

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The Gender Identity Research in
Education Society (GIRES) estimate the population of Trans or “Gender variant” people in the UK to be 1% of the population.

1954 – Over 1000 men were in prison for “homosexual acts”
1967 – Sexual Offences Act - partial decriminalisation of homosexuality
1989 – Section 28 of the Local Government Act (1989). The law made it illegal for a Local Authority to: “intentionally promote homosexuality or promote the teaching in schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretend family relationship ”
1994 – Sexual Offences Amendment Act – age of consent for gay men reduced from age 21 to 18
2000 – British Government lifts ban on Lesbian & Gay people serving in the Armed Forces
2001 – Age of consent equalised for gay men

2002 – Equal rights granted to same-sex couples applying for adoption
2003 Repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1989
2003 - Sexual Orientation Regulations providing protection in employment and vocational training
2003 – Criminal Justice Act tougher sentences for hate crime, motivated by hatred on grounds of gender identity and/or sexual orientation
2005 – Civil Partnerships Act
2006 – Goods & Services – From April 2007 – Made it unlawful for providers of goods and services, and public authorities, to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation
2014 – Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act becomes law in England and
Wales

ty
1999 – Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations
Trans people protected in employment and vocational training
2004 – Gender Recognition Act
Trans people are able to obtain a 'Gender Recognition Certificate' which enables them to get a new birth certificate of their chosen gender identity

• Strengthening, harmonising and streamlining 40 years of equalities legislation across all the protected characteristics and all sectors, where appropriate
• Strengthening: improving the effectiveness of equality legislation
• Harmonising: providing the same levels of protection from discrimination
• Streamlining: simplifying and consolidating approximately
116 pieces of separate equality legislation
•Age
•Disability
•Gender reassignment
•Marriage and civil partnership
•Pregnancy and maternity
•Race
•Religion or belief
•Sex
•Sexual orientation

Public Sector Equality Duty
To have due regard to the need to:
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Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act.
•
Advance equality of opportunity
•
Foster good relations

Public Sector Equality Duty
Due regard:
 Remove or minimise disadvantage
 Take steps to meet diverse needs
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Encourage participation

Where does the Equality Act apply?
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Applies to the public and private sectors
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Services and public functions
 Premises
 Work
 Education
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Associations, including political parties
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Buying or renting a property

• Lack of specialist and targeted information
• Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in school
• Lack of support, for example families and friends, isolation and confusion
• Help-seeking through informal networks
• Higher levels of anxiety and depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation
• Higher levels of substance misuse
• Exploitation and unsafe sex
• Lack of culturally appropriate and sensitive services – cultural competence
• Intersectionality, for example BME and Disabled and LGB and / or Trans
• Homo/bi/transphobia can affect any young person

•
Assumptions e.g. “heterosexism”
• Atmosphere of acceptance and celebration
• Challenge biphobic, homophobic and transphobic bulying
• Be knowledgeable of LGB and Trans experiences
• Inclusive language
• Pronouns of choice e.g. “he”, “she” or “they”
• It’s ok to ask

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Use posters and displays to communicate positive messages throughout built environments on equality and diversity for LGB and Trans people
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Research and display local LGB and Trans resources
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GIRES has a useful website with access to resources www.gires.org.uk
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Stonewall has a useful website with access to resources www.stonewall.org.uk

✓ Policies and procedures are up to date and inclusive of current legislation
✓ Staff training on LGB and Trans issues
✓ Information is provided on LGB and Trans issues
✓ A policy with effective procedures in place that protects LGB and Trans people from bullying, harassment and discrimination
✓ The school consults with LGB and Trans communities e.g. LGBT Bristol

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We have developed a series of training modules
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You can access the training modules online www.lgbt-training.org.uk
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You can find out more about how we can support you in delivering the training for your organisation

Diversity Trust
PO Box 5189
Somerset BA6 0BN
 Phone 0844 800 4425
 Email info@diversitytrust.org.uk
 Web www.diversitytrust.org.uk
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